Michael McLeod Lands Himself A Contract To Resume Career

Michael McLeod, former NJ Devils forward, skates with puck

Michael McLeod hasn't played in the NHL since going on leave from the New Jersey Devils midway through the 2023-24 season. He played in the KHL during the 2024-25 campaign, and now, after failing to secure another chance with an NHL team at this point, he's heading back to Russia.

🇨🇦 Michael McLeod is a Hawk once again! pic.twitter.com/5DkTHoymRh
— KHL (@khl_eng) October 9, 2025

It's a three-year deal for McLeod with Avangard Omsk, a team he played 19 games with last season, recording 13 points.

McLeod and four other members of the 2018 Canadian World Juniors team were charged with sexual assault in early 2024 over a Hockey Canada Event in 2018 at the World Junior Championship tournament. This summer, they were all acquitted of all charges, and as of this month, free to sign an NHL contract, with an official return to game play as of December 1st.

Hurricanes fans wanted no part of McLeod, so he's heading to Russia

However, after the Carolina Hurricanes flirted with signing McLeod, they were met with a very vocal backlash in Raleigh, with fans threatening to cancel their season tickets. The team obviously decided to back off, and McLeod has

Carter Hart is the only one of the acquitted 'Team Canada Five' who seems to be poised to return to the NHL at this point, with rumors linking him to the Vegas Golden Knights.

As for McLeod, he totaled 85 points in 287 games in his six NHL seasons, averaging 13:11 of ice time per night. In 45 games with the Devils in 2023-24, he notched 10 goals and 19 points.